Self-locking liquid-level gauge



. May 3' 1927 R, L. MORRIS SELF LOCKING LIQUID LEVEL GAUGE Filed Jan. 3. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet. l

Gemma@ n May 3 1927 l R. L. MORRIS SELF LOQKING LIQUID LEVEL GAUGE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 3. 1924 ggz..

Russ EU... L. MnrS in ,L

Patented May 3, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT` OFFICE- RUSSELL L. MORRIS, 0F TULS, OKLAHOMA.'

SELF-LOCKING LIQUID-LEVEL GAUGE.

Application led January,1924.v Serial No. 684,269.`

This invention relates toimprovements in liquid level gauges. l A Y The primary object of this invention is the provision of a gauge which will automatically lock and register the amountof liquid in tank cars or other fluid storage receptacles, by the performancel of a collateral operation, such' as the removal or lift ing up of the tanks dome or other closure.

During the transportation of liquids', such as gasoline, and like volatile liquids, considerable evaporation and leakage occurs, diminishing the quantity in the tank car during its transportation from the consignor to the consignes. It is the custom forthe shipper to allow an outage rebate for Such loss by evaporationor leakage. In the majority of instances the consi gnor is not represented .when the' tank car is received `by the consignee, and the correct statement of the outage is contingentupon the carefulness with which the gauging is performed by the consignee and the honesty of the consignee. Incident to slip-shod methods of calculating loss and to dishonesty, the shipper sustainsa considerable loss in great manyA instances. rlhe cutomary manner of gauging the liquid in the tank car is to insert a pole to gauge the depth. thereof. There the;tank car varies in dimeuion this method of gauging is inaccurate. However, with the placement of the improved self locking gauge upon the tank car, the quantity of liquid inthe car may be accurately ascertained both by the consignor'and the consignes, and the gauge is so set by the consignor that the float may rise and'fall with the liquid in the tank car,

during transportation, so thatithe fioatat the time of reception of the'tank car by the consignee accurately gauges the liquid level in the car. Upon removal of the closure from the tank car the gauge isautomatically locked and the consigner has an accurate indication` of the amountjof liquid received by the consignee.

Otherohjects and `advzmtages of this invention Vwill lie-apparent during the course ot the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this speciiication, and wherein similar reference characters designate correspondingparts throughout the several views.

Figure lis a cross sectional viewtaken through a portion of a tank car, especially Y at the-,domelthereoi showing the application y of the improved self locking gauge thereon, with theV details appearing as they are arranged during transportation, and j usty prior f to removal of the closure from the tank.

F ig.2 is aview, partly fragmentary and in `cross section, showing-the detail yillus-y trated-fin.y Figure l with `the closure of the` Lazzate tankcarl-removed to automatically lock the` f gauge iioatfmechanism.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross sectionall View vtaken through details of the tank car,v showing` said cooperatingA details of the -improved gauge.

Fig. 4; isa cross sectional view taken suh-y stantially on the lineV 4 4- of Figure l.'

Fig'. is-a cross sectional `view taken sub- Stantially on the line 5*-5 of Figure 2.V

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken through a detailof `the gauge lockamechanism,.on the line 6-6 in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 isa side elevation of a gauge cas*V ing or closure which may beremoved to permitthe facile` inspection of the-gaugereading, and i y Y Fig. 8 4is an enlargedl cross sectional view taken throughcooperating `details ot the improvedA gauge lock' mechanism.k

, In theldrawings, wherein for thepurpose of illustration is shown butthe preferred embodiment of this invention theletter A may i generally designate a receptaele'fsuch as a tank car, within which the Vimproved gauge B may be placed for use as above indicated. The gauge casingor closure C may be used in connection with the gauge B to prevent unauthorizedinspection and tampering therewith. In connection with details of the gauge B, means D is employed. for engaging and holding the float mechanism of `thegauge B; spring operated lmeans E being provided for co-actionagainst the fioat holding `means D to normally actuate said means D for engaging the float means; and alockmF being provided to lioldthe means D in a locked float supporting relationv y i The tank- A for the most part preferably. includes the. ordinaryT cylindrical shaped tank` body 15, which has the inlet opening 16 in the topV thereof. .A dome 17 may be provided in yconnection with thetank A, over theropening 16 in the `body of said tank; l said` dome having an openinglS inthe top wall 19 thereoi, within which a closure member or lid 2O may be placed.

Dreferring to details of the gauge per se, the same is preferably carried by the body of the tank A, adjacent the dome 17, and includes a easing structure within Vwhich float means 27 is reciprocably mounted. The casing struct-ure 25 preferably includes the attaching bracket or body portion 28, which is mounted exterior-ly upon the tank body 15, and which has a portion depending into the compartment 29 ot the tank, for receiving in a rigid relation a depending tube 30 which extends' vertically into said casing, and which has the bottom 81 thereof enclosed, and has lateral ducts 32 through which the liquid in the compartment 29 may pass Yfor actuating the float means 27 The float means 27 preferably includes the buoyant float 34 upon which a stem 35 is carried in upwardly extending relation to the casing construction 25. A casing tube 37 is pretterably carried by the body 28 exteriorly of the compartment 29, and laterally ot the dome 17, which has an elongated slotA or opening 38 therein for exposing certain graduations 39 which are carried upon a transparent tube Ll0 within the upper section 37 of the casing construction 25.

The casing structure 25 and tio-at means 27 of the gauge are ot course carried by the tank A laterally oit the dome 17, and the casing or closure member C is pivotally carried, as at L11, by the tank A, so that it may swing upwardly against the dome 17 to enclose the graduated portion of the gauge casing therein. A suitable hasp structure may be used for locking the casing C in a set relation, and this may be sealed, as at 43, to prevent unauthorized inspection or tampering with respect to the gauge. The operation ot' the float means 27 in the casing structure 25 is obvious. rEhe upper edge ot the stem is used for designating the particular delineation 39 for indicating the level ot the lluid within the tank A.

Referring to the float holding means D, the same preferably comprises a stationary jaw carried within the body 28 ot the casing structure 25, at one side ot the float stem 35. A movable jaw arm 51 is carried by one end of a bell crank lever 52 which .is pivotally mounted at 53. The other end ot the bell crank lever 52 is connected by a rod 54 to one end ot a second bellcrank lever 55 which is carried by asuitable bracket 56 beneath the dome wall 19. Of course, the connecting rod 5a extends from the bell crank 52 upwardly through the tank body 15 into the dome compartment. Beneath the dome top wall 19, and adjacent the opening 1S therein, a protectingcasing or housing 57 is carried, which slidably supports a horizontally disposed rod 58 therein. rlhe inner end ot this rod 50 is connected in against this casing and against the rod 58 ton normally torce the rod inwardly of the casing 57, and thus tending to move the bell cranks and 55 and the connecting lever 5l so that the movable jaw 51 is moved out of engagement with the float stem 35.

Rete ring to the lock mechanism F, the same preferably includes a bolt or latch member 55 which is pivotally connected, as at (3G, within the enclosing casing 57. A lock tumbler mechanism (37 is carried by the casing 57, haring a. cam G8 thereon which is adapted for cooperation against the bolt (S5 when it is desired to lock the bolt into a notch 69 which is provided in the sliding rod 58. The tumbler mechanism (37 is, of course, key operated, and provides a key inserting opening 70 which is exposed on the casingI 57, so that a person merely by inserting a key through the opening 18 of the dome 17 can readily regulate position ot 'the cam Gti with respect to the bolt 65.

spring 71 is connected at the tree end ot' the cam 68 and to the enclosingI casing 57, normally tending to draw the cam 68 downward to engage the bolt 65 to torce the same against the sliding rod 58, so that as the rod 58 moves in its casing said bolt may move readily into the notch 69. A spring 72 may cooperate between the holt (35 and the casing 57' being normally under compression to torce the latch or bolt 65 out olf the notch when thc cam 68 is in the position illusstrated by dotted lines in Figure 5 ot' the drawings. il. knob 73 may extend from the pivotal moimting (3G ot the bolt tor manual adjustment ot' said bolt.

lteiierrino to the closure operated means E, the same preferably comprises a reciproiting control member 75, carried by the casing 57 for if'ertical reciprocation therein, and which has a cam sui-tace 77 thereon inclined so that the end ct the rod 58 may ride thereon. A spring 79 under compres-- sion rests upon a bracket 8O supported in the tank dome 17, 'and engages the member 75, normally tending to move the same upwardly within the casing 57 Thus, the tendency olf the spring 7 9 is to torce the rod 58 outwardly from the casing 57, so that the lock bolt (35 may drop into the notch G9. To retain the member inoperative when the lid 2S is open, a detent 82 is pivotally carried by he dome 17 adjacent the opening 18 therein, which is adapted to operate within a suitable notch S3 in the member 75. This detent 82 can only cooperate in the noten 'for holding the member 75 depressed 'tor a sutlicient distance when the closure 2O removed from the dome 17, and in this instance the bolt G5'will not as yet engage yin the notchy 69 lof the'rod 58 However, when the closure member 20 is placed in the opening'l` ot the dome 17 it engages the member to further ldepress. the same,i whereupon the detent 82 incident to lgravity-will drop out of the notch 83,-and the spring `(50 will force the rod V58 so that tlie movable jaw 5l is withdrawn from adjacent the ioat stem 35, to permit free oper'- ation of the 'float means 27.

Referring to thefoperation yot `the im proved selt locking gauge, the tank car A islilled, and with the detent 82 holding the member 75 in a `depressed relation inthe casing 57 the float mechanism QTmayoperate to indicate'tothe shipper or the consigner how much liquid is in the tank AVhen the consignor places the closure 20 on the dome 17, the member 75 is depressed as above indicated to release the detent 82.` The tank car is1 then sealed and placed intransit. When the consignee `receives the tank car, opening ot the.4 dome lidV 20 will permit the spring 79 to force the member 75 upward, andthe rod58 riding on the cam-surface 77 will be forced outwardly from the casing 57 until the bolt 65 locks the rod 58 by dropping into the notch 69. This movement of the rod 58 through the medium ot the means D will cause the movable jaw 51 to force the ioat stem 35 against the stationary jaw 50, and the ioat means 27 will be automatically locked within the gauge casing structure 25. The float means cannot be displaced or tamn pered with, and it remains in this condition until the consigner or his representative can break the seal 43 and determine the locked reading ot the gauge. Merely by subtracting the reading of the gauge when received by the consignee from the original reading taken by the consignor, the quantity of liquid wasted by leakage or evaporation can be determined, and the rebate accurately fixed.

Various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement ot parts may be made to the form o1E the invention herein shown and described, witliout departing Yfrom the spirit of the same or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

l. In combination with a tank including a closure, a float device in the tank for indieating liquid level, jaw means for gripping the float to hold it in a supported position within the tank, a lock for holding said jaw means in ioat gripping relation, and spring operated means normally acting to hold said jaw means in non-locking relation.

Q. In combination with a liquid receiving tank including a closure member, a casing carried by the tank, a float movable in the casing to indicate liquid level in the tank, and jaw gripping means operable by positioning ot the closure member on said tank to release the float when the closure member is placed on the tank and to grip the loatffor locking itin afdetinitey relation to 4its casing when the Vclosuremember is 'removed from said tank.

3. In a gauge Vof the class described the combination otl a casing, floaty means includinga buoyant element anda stem, a fixed jaw adjacent the stem, a movablejawfor clamping the stem against the fixed jaw,and means to actuate the movable jaw.

4. In a gauge of the class Vdescribed'the combination of a casing, float means including a buoyant element -and a. stem, a fixed jaw adjacent the stem, a movable jaw for clamping the stem against the fixed j aw,and lock means for holdingthe fixed aw against said stem.

5. In a device of the class described `the combination with a liquid receiving tank, Va casing extending into and exteriorly otsaid tank, the loweror inner end of said casing being pertorate forV receiving liquid therein from the tank, fioatmeans operable in said casing adapted to rise and fall with Kliquid within the tank, said casing exteriorly ofthe tank having delineations thereon forgauge reading cooperation with said float means, and a closure carried by the tank for receiving the exterior portion of the casing in sealed relation therein.

G. In combination with a tank having an inlet opening and a closure therefor, a gauge carried by the tank including float means, means for fixing the oat means with respect to the tank, including a spring operated member acting normally to fix the float with respect to the tank, said spring operated `member being so located that upon placing of the closure in the opening of said tank the member will be engaged and held inoperative by said closure member to permit said float means to rise and fall with liquid level in the tank. y

7. In combination with a tank having an inlet opening, a gauge comprising a cas ing portion and float means operable therein, gripping means for engaging the ioat means to hold it in a iixed relation with respect to the tank, a spring acting on said last mentioned means to permit free actuation of the float means with respect to the tank, a spring operated member extending into the inlet opening of said tank normally acting on said last mentioned means so that it will force said gripping means to engage said -fioat means, and a closure for the inlet opening adapted when in position to engage and hold said spring operated member inoperative.

8. In combination with a tank having a closure therefor, a gauge including float means, gripping' jaw means for engaging the Hoat means to hold it in a fixed relation predetermined point in its sliding movenient to hold the gripping jaws in engagement with the lloat means, an operating member movably cooperating against said sliding member, a spring actuating the operating member to force the operating member against the closure whereby upon removal of the closure the force of the spring will move the operating member and incident to engagement of the latter with the sliding member to force the latter into a locking relation with said lock.

9. In a gauge of the class described the combination of a tank, a float device operable in the tank, a closure for the tank, means cooperatively interposed between the fioat device and closure, including means rendered operative upon removal of the closure to lock the float device in the position which it assumes on the liquid level in the tank just prior to removal of the closure, said float device having a portion thereof extending upwardly thru the tank so that readings may be taken exteriorly of the tank, and lock controlled means for enclosing the outwardly extending portion of the loat device to seal the same against the taking of unauthorized readings.

l0. In a self locking liquid level gauge for liquid tanks the combination with a liquid receiving tank having an inlet opening and a closure for said opening, a gauge carried by the tank including an indicating float means adapted to rise and fall with the liquid in the tank, float holding means, means cooperating with the float holding means to maintain the same inoperative and permit unimpeded operation of the float means, means cooperating with the closure to actuate said means cooperating with the float holding means only upon opening of the closure whereby to cause the last named means to hold the float means against movement and in the position it had assumed immediately prior to removal of the closure, and means to automatically lock said means cooperating with the float holdingmeans against unauthorized unlocking upon actuation of thc holding means to hold the float.

RUSSELL L. MORRIS. 

